FARGO — Dr. Tim Mahoney, who recently finished a 12-year stint as Fargo mayor, will return to government as a health officer.
Fargo Cass Public Health offered its health officer job to Mahoney, according to a memo in the agenda packet for the Monday, Aug. 17, City Commission meeting. The City Commission must approve the hire.
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Mahoney told The Forum the job will allow him to continue his work as a doctor while being involved with healthcare policy and helping the city.
“I think it’ll be interesting just because of the times we’re at,” he said.
He noted vaccine rates are down, and mental health and addiction issues are a concern in the city.
"He scored higher in the areas of education, experience, difficult decision making for the masses, experience with implementing mass health care initiatives, taking initiative, accountability and familiarity with public health and more specifically the functions of Fargo Cass Public Health," Public Health Director Jenn Faul said when asked what made Mahoney rise above the other applicants.
Mahoney’s appointment is on Monday’s consent agenda, a list of items that can be approved all at once without discussion. The position of health officer has in the past been put on the consent agenda, City Administrator Michael Redlinger said.
If approved for the post, Mahoney will start a five-year contract as health officer on Sept. 1, according to an agreement in the agenda packet. He will be paid $3,200 a month or $38,400 a year, with an annual increase of $200, the agreement said.
The health officer is a physician who enforces public health laws, regulations and ordinances in Fargo and Cass County, according to the agreement. The doctor may also advise or make recommendations on essential public health services and functions to the Board of Health and Public Health, the agreement said.
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Mahoney is a surgeon with more than 50 years of experience. The 77-year-old works at Family HealthCare in downtown Fargo.
He also was Fargo’s mayor from 2014 through June 2026. He could not run for reelection this year since he hit the city’s three-term limit.
Former North Dakota Sen. Josh Boschee, a Democrat, won the primary election in early June and succeeded Mahoney.
Mahoney was one of four doctors who applied for the position. The list included Dr. Jeff Hunt, an internal medicine specialist at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, Dr. Denise Schumacher, a gynecologist at Internal Medicine Associates (IMA) Healthcare in Fargo, and Dr. Richard Vetter, a family medicine physician at VitellaCare in West Fargo.
Vetter withdrew his application due to another opportunity that would have limited his ability to serve as health officer, Faul said.
Mahoney replaces Dr. Jessie Lindemann, who left the position after filling it for a year.
The Fargo City Commission holds meetings every other Monday at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 225 Fourth St. N. Their meetings are also livestreamed and recorded for later viewing on the city of Fargo's YouTube page. Agendas and minutes are available on the city's website.
Mayor Josh Boschee
Term expires: June 2030
Contact: 701-241-1310, josh.boschee@fargond.gov
Commissioner John Strand
Term expires: June 2028
Contact: 701-715-3269, jstrand@fargond.gov
Commissioner Michelle Turnberg
Term expires: June 2028
Contact: 701-831-5915, mturnberg@fargond.gov
Commissioner Nikkie Gullickson
Term expires: June 2030
Contact: 701-241-1310, ngullickson@fargond.gov
Commissioner Chad Peterson
Term expires: June 2030
Contact: 701-241-1310, chad.peterson@fargond.gov